To learn about the most common kidney side effects of lithium therapy. To find out what is the best MRI protocol in the assessment of lithium-induced nephropathy. To become aware of MRI appearance of lithium-induced nephropathy.

Lithium is a therapeutic agent used in psychiatric treatment with a frequent side effect: renal toxicity. Lithium nephrotoxicity can be divided into three main categories: nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, acute intoxication and chronic renal disease. MRI was found to be superior for the visualization of small renal cysts, mainly in a non-advanced disease. T2-weighted MR imaging sequences are the most appropriate for detecting the presence of fluid-filled cavities and single-shot fast spin-echo strongly T2-weighted sequences are particularly sensitive.

The most common kidney side effects of lithium therapy Lithium is a highly effective therapeutic agent used in psychiatric treatment, mostly for bipolar disorder, but with a frequent side effect: renal toxicity. Lithium nephrotoxicity can be divided into three main categories: nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, acute intoxication and chronic renal disease. Chronic lithium nephropathy Chronic tubulo-interstitial nephropathy is the main form of chronic renal disease associated with lithium therapy. It is characterized by tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis, out of proportion to the extent of glomerular...

Chronic tubulo-interstitial nephropathy is the main form of chronic renal disease associated with lithium therapy. The particularity of this tubulo-interstitial condition is micro cysts formation located both in the kidney’s cortex and medulla. Due to the necessity of evaluating small cystic lesions, an MRI protocol with sequences well adapted to imaging non-circulating liquid structures was needed. Thus, the best MRI sequences in evaluating chronic lithium-induced nephropathy are those using a long echo time (T2 weighted images) which highlight the cystic lesions as hyper intense round...

M. A. Calota: Paris/FR, L. Males: Paris/FR, A. Khalil: Paris/FR and P. Fernandez: Paris/FR - nothing to disclose.

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